Walrus

Communication

Sound Production

Walruses are among the most vocal of the pinnipeds. They produce growls, taps, knocks, grunts, barks, soft whistles, rasps, and clicks.

Male walruses produce bell-like sounds below water. These sounds are not produced by the vocal cords but originate from air sacs, which extend from the pharynx.

Calves bellow if disturbed.

Adults engaged in dominance conflicts may snort, cough, or roar.

Display Behavior

Walruses communicate through auditory and visual displays.

During courtship, males display visually and vocally from the water. Stereotyped sequences of sounds occur both above and below water. Underwater sounds include clicks or knocks, bell-like sounds, and taps. Above-water sounds include teeth clacking and whistles. Courtship displays continue until a female physically contacts a displaying male in the water.

Males engage in tusk-threat displays to establish dominance.

Other Communication

Walruses communicate through sound, sight, touch, and smell.

Walruses communicate through sound, sight, touch, and smell.

Tactile communication occurs through body contact.

Walruses haul out in herds in close contact with one another.

A mother shelters her calf under her chest between her foreflippers. A calf often rides on its mother's back in the water.

Adults engaged in dominance conflicts may strike each other with their tusks.